Sponsorships are still available for next week’s second Wie Loves Ping Pong. The fundraiser’s proceeds benefit the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association Scholarship Fund and programs.
The inaugural benefit was two years ago, the night Michelle Wie won the 2014 Lotte Championship. Wie and her amateur ping-pong partner wound up in the final, where they lost to Daniel Dae Kim’s team. The exhibition had LPGA golfers such as Wie, Cristie Kerr, Yani Tseng and Christina Kim, as well as celebrities partnering with sponsor players. It raised enough to fund two scholarships.
Wie’s latest fundraiser for the HSJGA will be April 16, after the final round of next week’s Lotte at Ko Olina. It goes from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Republik and will also have food and cocktails provided by guest chefs, drawings and a silent auction.
Hawaii broadcaster Mark Rolfing will emcee. Sponsorship includes 10 guests and free valet parking. Visit HSJGA.org or call 532-0559 to register or for more information.
Aloha PGA to be featured on Golf Channel
The Aloha PGA Section’s recent Junior Golf Day will be featured nationally on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” on Tuesday. The spotlight is part of the PGA of America’s 2016 Centennial celebration.
Hawaii’s Junior Golf Day, a partnership with local pros and the HSJGA, started in 2012. Last month’s free instructional event was hosted by 12 golf facilities on the major islands this year, with pros introducing 720 kids to the game.
All 41 PGA sections will be featured on “Morning Drive” through May 4.
Hawaii Pacific swept in road doubleheader
The Hawaii Pacific softball team lost both games of a road doubleheader to Concordia University Irvine by scores of 6-4 and 6-1 in Irvine, Calif., on Friday.
Game two marked the 14th consecutive game on the road for the Sharks (13-29, 9-15 PacWest).
HPU lost in heartbreaking fashion in game one, squandering a 3-0 fourth inning lead to a Jasmin Dresser’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh.
The Eagles (32-9, 13-5) were led by starter BethAnn McCann in game two. She scattered five hits and a walk over six innings to improve to 10-2 this year.
>> The Chaminade softball team swept BYU-Hawaii (9-23, 5-17 PacWest) in a doubleheader at Central Oahu Regional Park.
The Silverswords (11-29, 6-18) took game one, 5-2, behind Amber Manuel’s big offensive performance. The designated player went 3-for-3 with a home run and drove in all five runs.
Silverswords starter Chelsea Camello tossed a gem in game two in winning 5-0. Camello allowed only one hit and two walks, striking out one. Keani Passi’s first-inning grand slam sparked the Silverswords’ offense.
Inaugural Hawaii Challenge tied at the top
The BYU-Hawaii and Hawaii-Hilo men’s golf teams are tied for first place after day one of the first annual Hawaii Challenge at Waikoloa Golf Course.
The tournament exclusively features all four PacWest teams in Hawaii.
The Seasiders and Vulcans each shot team totals of 301 (13 over). Hawaii Pacific is in third at 27-over 315, while Chaminade rounded out the competition at 318, 30 over.
BYUH’s Inoka Kahawaii and UHH’s Ric Yamamoto are tied for the individual lead at 1-over 73 after 18 holes.
Hawaii surfers eliminated in Australia
Australia’s Matt Wilkinson, the current Jeep Rankings leader, ousted Wahiawa native Dusty Payne to advance to the third round of the Margaret River Pro in Australia.
Honolulu native Keanu Asing also was eliminated in round two to Brazil’s Adriano De Souza, the reigning World Surf League champion.
On the women’s side, Makaha native Alessa Quizon was eliminated by Courtney Conlogue, whose two-wave score of 13.40 topped Quizon’s 10.37. Oahu’s Carissa Moore swept through her round with a two-wave score of 15.77. In other round two action, Oahu native Coco Ho was eliminated by Nikki Van Dijk of Australia.
Andrews named stadium deputy manager
Ryan Andrews was announced as Aloha Stadium’s new deputy manager on Friday.
Andrews, who received his master’s in sports management from San Jose State University, returns to Aloha Stadium, where he spent two years (2012-14) as the assistant events manager.
21 named Academic All-MPSF
Twenty-one University of Hawaii swimming and diving student-athletes (12 women, nine men) were named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic team on Friday.
In order to be selected to the list, students must have at least sophomore standing, compete in 50 percent of more of the team’s competitions and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average.
The Rainbow Warrior honorees are led by senior diver Armund Gismervik, who was named MPSF diver of the year. The Rainbow Wahine were led by senior diver Aimee Harrison, who was named MPSF diver of the year for the fourth time.
